A 64-98 Record Defies Early Promise
The Athletics stumbled to a 64-98 record this year, dropping sharply from 76 wins in 2025 as injuries and pitching struggles derailed their rebuilding plans. The team hovered at an even 38-38 record as late as June 19 before the season unraveled. Taylor Smith, the 31-year-old former Boston Red Sox assistant general manager and Tampa Bay Rays research analyst, now takes over as president of baseball operations to reshape the roster during its final season in Sacramento.
Future Commitments Total $272MM
The franchise carries $272MM in total future commitments anchored by long-term guaranteed contracts for young core pieces. Tyler Soderstrom signed an $84MM deal running through 2032, Jacob Wilson secured a $66MM contract through 2032, and Lawrence Butler is locked in at $58MM through 2031. Brent Rooker rounds out the major commitments with a $42MM pact through 2029. Total guarantees drop to $47.5MM for 2027 if pitcher Luis Severino exercises his $22MM player option and the club declines options for Jeff McNeil and Jeffrey Springs.
Analytics Background Shapes New Leadership
Smith arrives as the youngest front office head in Major League Baseball, bringing an analytical pedigree developed across seven seasons in Tampa Bay and two in Boston. Between the Athletics’ penchant for internal promotions and former owner Charlie Finley running baseball operations himself, this is the first time in decades that the A’s front office has been run by a fresh voice new to the organization. His immediate task involves stabilizing a pitching staff that faltered badly while key hitters missed significant stretches of the season due to injuries.
Las Vegas Ballpark Dimensions Raise Questions
The franchise must also prepare for its planned 2028 move to Las Vegas while managing its temporary home at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. It remains unknown how the new climate-controlled Vegas stadium will play for pitchers, though the hitter-friendly reputation of Las Vegas Ballpark suggests the team could face another environment favoring offense. While a roofed facility offers some temperature control, the pitching staff will likely need substantial upgrades before making the desert transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the team’s record before the mid-season slide?
The Athletics held a 38-38 record on June 19 before injuries and pitching difficulties sent the team downward toward a 64-98 finish.
What are the major player options facing the front office for 2027?
Luis Severino holds a $22MM player option for 2027, Jeff McNeil carries a $15.75MM club option with a $2MM buyout covered by the Mets, and Jeffrey Springs has a $15MM club option with a $750K buyout.
When does the franchise plan to relocate to Las Vegas?
The Athletics are scheduled to open their new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028, following their final season playing in Sacramento.